Sony Announces Forumula One 04

It's time to jump into that spare F1 motor hanging around in the garage as SCEE unveils this year's F1 update.

SCEE today annoucned Forumula One 04, the only officially licensed game of the FIA F1 World Championship - the second official F1 title to be published by Sony.

The update will feature all the official teams, drivers and circuits of the 2004 season, including the brand new tracks in Bahrain and Shanghai.

"Our ongoing relationship with Formula One Administration Limited enables us to provide Formula One enthusiasts with an authentic recreation of their favourite sport on PlayStation 2", said SCEE President David Reeves, who probably bit his lip to avoid talking about PS3 and PSP instead.

The game is being developed at Sony's Liverpool studio, which is promising "tension and excitement" through a variety of gameplay modes. Four levels of difficulty ensure that the game is challenging to the most hardcore gamer, yet accessible to F1 fans new to the videogame experience.

The game will allow players to participate in 18 races across four continents and sixteen countries, selecting from the 10 official teams and 20 drivers. And in addition to playing as their favourite driver, F1-04 now allows gamers to race as themselves, with their name lined up on the starting grid next to the most skilled racing drivers in the world.

A full simulation Career mode enables aspiring racing drivers to experience thrill of progressing through Championship seasons, beginning with offers from the teams at the back of the grid. Success on the track will attract the interest of more successful teams, while a poor performance may result in the player being fired!

F1-04 will also offer the unique opportunity for players to set the fastest time in a time trail and race against ghost cars to achieve the best time, in an all new online mode.

Formula One 04 is scheduled for release in June.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com